MHS graduates earn $6.75 million in scholarships

On Monday evening Maricopa High School held its annual “Evening of Honors” to recognize the academic accomplishments of the Class of 2017.

There will be approximately 350 graduates in the class, although the final number has not yet been determined. Principal Renita Myers recognized the 174 seniors who were on the honor roll with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

High school faculty awarded “Student of the Year” honors to the following students: Mathematics – Joie Mary Guela; English – Jacob Hagan; Science – Eden Castellanos; Social Studies – Taylor Demeter; and Advanced Placement – Joeseph Ferland.

Athletic Director Mark Cisterna recognized Bailey Abel as the Female Athlete of the Year and Dakota Halverson as the Male Athlete of the Year. The Female Academic Athlete of the Year was Lauren Davis, and the Male Academic Athlete of the Year was John Blodgett.

A standing ovation was given to the 18 seniors who are entering military service and receiving scholarships. Nine seniors are joining the U.S. Army, five are joining the U.S. Marine Corps, and three are joining the U.S. Navy. Co-Valedictorian John Blodgett was recognized for his decision to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Blodgett also received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Seniors were recognized for being offered a total of 217 scholarships with a total value of $6,750,000, representing a new record for scholarships offered to an MHS graduating class. These scholarships included 104 from Central Arizona College (59 for the Top 10 percent of Class Scholarship and 45 for the Promise For the Future Scholarship); 29 from Arizona State University; 27 from Grand Canyon University; 12 from the University of Arizona; and one from Eastern Arizona State College.